Political News – Newsletter for December 13, 2010

Telangana stir: Andhra withdraws cases against students

HYDERABAD – Buckling under opposition pressure, the Andhra Pradesh government Monday said it was withdrawing around a third of criminal cases against students and others who took part in the movement for a separate Telangana state.

Making a statement in the state assembly, Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy said 562 cases against 2,436 people [..] Read the original article: here.

China positive about India’s rise, warns of fragile ties

NEW DELHI – Two days ahead of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit, China Monday said it “takes a positive view of India’s rise” but warned that bilateral ties were “fragile” and there was need to create an environment of mutual trust.

“China takes a positive view of India’s rise and sees India’s rise as an [..] Read the original article: here.

Introspect, Hamid Ansari urges Rajya Sabha members

NEW DELHI – An anguished Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari Monday urged members to introspect on the functioning of the house as it was adjourned sine die without transacting any major business during its winter session that began Nov 9.

“All sections of the house would perhaps introspect on the record of this session to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Introspect, Hamid Ansari urges Rajya Sabha members.

Sonia slams BJP for parliament deadlock, corruption

NEW DELHI – Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday hit out at the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the deadlock in parliament over the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam and accused it of double standards on corruption.

Addressing a Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting here, Gandhi … Read more : Sonia slams BJP for parliament deadlock, corruption.

Chidambaram blames migrants for Delhi crimes, draws flak

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday blamed the migrants living in Delhi’s unauthorised colonies for the capital’s rising crime graph. His comments drew flak from the opposition, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), as well as his own Congress.

The home minister said there was a “decline … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chidambaram blames migrants for Delhi crimes, draws flak.

Homage Paid To Parliament Attack Victims

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Nine years back on December 13, nine people lost their lives in the attack which was launched by terrorists on the Parliament House of India. The incident taking place in New Delhi had not only thrown the political figures in a state of trauma but to the entire nation as well. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Homage Paid To Parliament Attack Victims.

Indians among foreigners to be honoured by Bangladesh

DHAKA – Nearly 400 people worldwide, including 226 Indians and 40 Pakistanis, figure in a list of eminent people to be honoured by Bangladesh for their role in its 1971 liberation. The list also contains the names of those who died during and after the struggle.

Former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and Soviet president … Read more »».

POK premier says US also a party to Kashmir issue

OKARA – The Prime Minister of Pakistan administered Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, has said that the United States has also become a party to the Kashmir issue after the November visit of President Barack Obama to India.

Interacting with media at the residence of Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Ahmed Watoo at Wasawywala, the …. Source  : POK premier says US also a party to Kashmir issue.

Jharkhand panchayat polls: Maoists fire at voters

RANCHI – The third phase of Jharkhand’s maiden panchayat polls Monday witnessed some violence, with Maoists firing at voters in one incident, police said.

Voting began at 7 a.m. in the morning amid tight security. Polling is being held at 990 panchayats spread over 61 blocks in 20 districts. More than 32 lakh voters will … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Jharkhand panchayat polls: Maoists fire at voters.

Parliament adjourned sine die

NEW DELHI – Both the houses of parliament were Monday adjourned sine die on the last day of the winter session amid a continued din over the opposition demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the 2G spectrum allocation.

The entire winter session, which began Nov 9, has been washed out with no significant …. Source article  : Parliament adjourned sine die.

NDA stages sit-in outside parliament over JPC

NEW DELHI – National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs Monday staged a protest outside parliament building to press for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam and said they would now take their demand “to the people”.

Soon after parliament was adjourned during question hour, members of the NDA, led by senior …. Read the original article  : NDA stages sit-in outside parliament over JPC.

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was Monday adjourned sine die on the last day of its winter session amid a continued din over the opposition demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the 2G spectrum allocation.

The entire winter session, which began Nov 9, has been washed out with no significant business conducted … Read : Lok Sabha adjourned sine die.

Divided on JPC, MPs unite against terror

NEW DELHI – Divided over the probe into the 2008 2G spectrum allocation, MPs cutting across party lines found common ground Monday when they stood united against terrorism to remember those killed in the parliament terror attack nine years ago.

But the unity was brief with chaos taking over as soon as the tribute … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Divided on JPC, MPs unite against terror.

Sonia Gandhi slams BJP, says should look at its own record on corruption

NEW DELHI – Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their lack of action against corruption in Karnataka, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday said that the BJP must look at its own track record before pointing fingers at the government.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting here, Gandhi said: “, “Who are they (BJP) … Read more >>>.

Advani leads NDA protest outside parliament over JPC

NEW DELHI – Soon after parliament was adjourned till noon Monday, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members led by senior leader L.K. Advani began a protest outside to press for a parliamentary probe into the allocation of 2G spectrum.

Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun … Read more >>.

Chinese premier to visit India, Pakistan

BEIJING – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will pay official visits to India and Pakistan from Dec 15 to 19 for enhancing bilateral ties with both countries, a senior official here has said.

The premier has been invited by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu … Original source on Gaea Times at : Chinese premier to visit India, Pakistan.

Sonia slams BJP for parliament logjam, corruption

NEW DELHI – Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the deadlock in parliament over the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam and criticised the “corruption in BJP-ruled states”.

Addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party on the last day of the …. Source article  : Sonia slams BJP for parliament logjam, corruption.

Samy Vellu appointed Malaysia’s special envoy to India

KUALA LUMPUR – Ethnic Indian politician S. Samy Vellu will be Malaysia’s special envoy to promote infrastructure projects in India and four other South Asian nations, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has announced.

The appointment, which carries a ministerial rank, will be effective from Jan 1.
Najib made the announcement Sunday evening during the launch …. Source article  : Samy Vellu appointed Malaysia’s special envoy to India.

Ahmadinejad invites Jordan’s king Abdullah to visit Iran

AMMAN – Jordan’s King Abdullah II Sunday received a rare message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inviting him to visit Iran, according to a royal court statement.

The message, which was delivered to the monarch by head of Ahmadinejad’s office Rahim Mashaei, expressed the Iranian leader’s “keenness on developing ties between Iran and Jordan in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ahmadinejad invites Jordan’s king Abdullah to visit Iran.

Hundreds form human chain round German nuclear storage site

AHAUS – Several hundred nuclear energy opponents formed a human chain around a German nuclear storage site Sunday, to protest against transports of radioactive material.

The storage site in Ahaus, near the Dutch border, holds spent nuclear fuel rods that were intended for a Russian reprocessing plant, until the Environment Ministry ruled last week that …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hundreds form human chain round German nuclear storage site.